From the Squamish Access Society website: District of Squamish provides the following guidance on its website: “Camping is not allowed on District or private property, unless the property is zoned specifically for that purpose. Crown land does not fall under this restriction, however within District of Squamish municipal boundaries, District bylaws do apply to open fires, littering, wildlife attractants, noise, and environmental concerns. District Bylaw Officers can and do attend many unauthorised campsites in order to enforce bylaws.” In correspondence, the District also added that: “Camping on municipal streets or municipal or private parking lots in the District is not permitted under any circumstances.”

From Peter Winter: DO NOT CAMP ALONG THE MAMQUAM FSR BETWEEN THE HIGHWAY AND THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES STAWAMUS RIVER. THIS MEANS NO VAN CAMPING OR TENTS. THIS AREA IS BC PARKS AND IT IS ILLEGAL FOR YOU TO DO SO. THIS HAS BECOME A VERY SENSITIVE ISSUE. THERE IS FREE CAMPING AT THE CHEK CLIMBING AREA AND NEW, CHEAP CAMPING HERE.

Description

Top Shelf is a relatively new crag in the Squamish area that is stacked with high quality crack lines. The rock is bomber, the routes are clean, and the lines are aesthetic. My hat goes off to the folks who developed this area, as I'm sure it was no easy task to get this wall to the beautiful condition that it's in. The wall faces northwest and gets shade for most of the day. The base of the wall is very well maintained with logs and flat belay areas. Nearly all of the routes can be climbed with a 60 m rope (always tie knots!), most anchors have fixed draws on them for lowering (don't remove them!), and most folks will want a double set of cams from fingers to wide hands and a #4. It would not be out of the question to bring triples up to a #1 camalot, as many of the routes are so splitter! The only thing lacking at this wall are moderates. Most of the climbs are 5.10 and up, and the grades felt a bit harder than similarly graded climbs in the area. The wall is steeper than it appears, so the climbs tend to be pretty pumpy.

There are quite a few projects on the wall. Please respect those as the route developer has put a lot of hard work in to the line.

Getting There

From Squamish, drive about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) along the Mamquam Forest Service road. When you see the black and yellow "2 up" road sign, keep an eye out for pullouts on the left. There is a very large pullout first, and then a smaller one shortly after. The trailhead is on the right side of the road, closer to the second, small pullout.

Once on the approach trail, hike UPHILL for 20-30 minutes. The trail is easy to follow, but it is STEEP! One fixed rope, but mostly just switchbacks. The first climb you will see once you get to the wall is Eye Catcher (5.10+).

Eye Catcher is pretty much the middle of the wall. To the left, go up a short fixed rope. To the right, the wall should be obvious.